This was our second trip to Belize, our first was a stay at Ramon's on San Pedro, Ambergis Caye. While we were impressed with Ramon's on that trip, that was NOTHING compared to Caye Chapel Resort. In a nutshell, if you are looking for privacy, golf, being treated like royalty and an absolutely inexpensive way to do so, you have found your heaven. (We'll comment on our second trip back to Ramon's, we should have never done it and stayed here the whole time.)
CHECK-IN: When our flight from Belize City arrived on the island (we don't recommend the VERY crowded water taxi), we were greeted by Charles in our his and hers golf carts, complete with a 6 pack of cold Bilikin (local beers) on ice. We followed Charles as he showed us the main part of the hotel (really restaurant and golf shop). He informed us that we would be spending one night in the casita (which we booked) and then we were being upgraded (for free) the next morning and for the remainder of our 5 day stay in one of the beach front houses because it was available. WOW!
ACCOMODATIONS: The casita was pretty, like a small suite and included a kitchenette and a small patio with a table and chairs. The house is indescribeable. The fridge was fully stocked with light beer, dark beer and water. Water was $1 and beer was $2! Have you ever heard such a thing? Our place was immaculate all the time. We had sattelite TV, phones, stereo, etc.
SAFE: No locals are allowed on the island (unless you are very, very wealthy), so it is incredibly safe. We never brought our golf clubs in the house. They stayed outside in the cart the entire time.
POOL: Small, but nice. The 5 days we were there, we were only joined by another couple or family twice.
PRIVACY: They only allow a small amount of people on the island at a certain time. I think we saw all of 20 people the entire time we were there. You have your own private beach with the house, so we highly recommend the house over the casita. While the island is secluded, Charles is sure to make sure you have any form of transportation you need. You don't feel like a character on LOST.
THE GOLF: No tee times! Walk on the course at any time and at any hole! While the course is fairly simple, it is gorgeous. You don't even need to wear a shirt or shoes! You can golf in your swim suit! Charles greeted us on one of the holes to see if we needed anything. We asked for a Margarita and he brought us an entire pitcher with chips! Let's not forget the crocodiles. Yep, I said crocs! We spotted about 5 on our trip in the ponds around the course. Very cool.
THE SERVICE: Unparalled to anywhere we've been and that includes all the major Hyatt, Hilton and Waldorf Resorts from Puerto Rico to Hawaii and Mexico.
WHAT'S THE CATCH? We still haven't figured it out. Everything about this place is perfect
THE STAFF: Charles helped us get whatever we needed. He fished with us at the end of the pier every night. He booked a fishing charter boat for us that took us trolling, deep sea fishing and showed us many parts of the islands around Belize that we didn't see on our first trip. He ordered us the water taxi when we wanted to go shopping in San Pedro and out to dinner.
THE FOOD: The food is slightly above average and the menu small, but what can you expect when the chef is only cooking for maybe 20 a night. You have to eat lunch between 11:30 and 1:00 and breakfast has a set time as well, but you can get room service for breakfast or dinner and lunch can be poolside or on the golf course.
THE BUGS: We figured out these little sand fleas by our last day. My husband never got bit, but I did. They come out mainly at dusk. I learned by day 3 not to be outside from 4:30 to 6:30 and if I was to put some major bug spray on. That worked. They don't bother you when the sun is high.
We booked 5 days here (as we weren't sure we could stand the seclusion), and 4 days at Ramon's as our first experience there was a good one. After Caye Chapel, I'm not sure any hotel could have held their own after our visit. Our trip back to Ramon's was in the Presidential Suite (boy did it look small this time back) and the service was mediocre (despite our large tips and previous stay).
We highly recommend Caye Chapel to anyone!
- Caye Chapel Island Hotel
